Weathersfield Select Board
Approved Minutes
October 20, 2005
Present: Henry C. Cobb
Daniel Boyer
C. Peter Cole
Norman John Arrison
Patricia Daniels
Others Present: Edith Stillson
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Rick Butler
Debra Ostrom, SAPA
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cole called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. at Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department.
2. Public Hearing Town Highway 32: Mr. Cole opened the Public Hearing to consider the proposal to reclassify Tarbell Hill Road to a Class II Town Highway. Mr. Melen read the Notice of Public Hearing for the record. The notice was posted at Downers Four Corners Store, Ascutney Post Office, Perkinsville Post Office, Proctor Library and Martin Memorial Hall. It was also mailed to abutting property owners via return receipt certified mail.
Mr. Melen explained the difference in Class II and Class III highways. He went over the results of the traffic count. He mentioned there were six houses on the road in Weathersfield and vehicles on this road averaged 126 vehicles daily. Mr. Melen said he received calls from some property owners and there were not any objections however one questioned whether it would be paved.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to recess the hearing until 7:00 p.m. on November 3, 2005.Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb said that on the information provided there were numbers referenced, he asked Mr. Melen what the numbers meant. Mr. Melen said he is not completely sure, he is trying to figure it out. Mr. Cobb asked for a better explanation at the next meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Comments from Citizens: None
4. Review minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Arrison made the motion to accept the minutes dated October 6, 2005. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison asked to reword #13. Motion carried 3 – 2, Mr. Cole and Mrs. Daniels abstained.
5. Monthly Reports:
General Fund: Mr. Melen said Mr. Hier has negotiated a line of credit for $220,000 with Chittenden Bank for the purchase of the fire truck. Mr. Boyer said the chassis is in and it has been inspected, there were a few things missing but they’ll be put on and it will go to Valley Fire for the body. Mr. Arrison made the motion to authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow a sum not to exceed $220,000 from Chittenden Bank for the purchase of fire apparatus at an interest rate of 3.6%. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Highway Fund: Mr. Melen said the Highway fund is on target. The only problems with the recent rain where some of Bowen Hill was washed out and there was a minor culvert problem at the intersection of Girdlot and Goulden Ridge Road. Mr. Melen said the recent work on Butterfield Hill Road held up ok.
Solid Waste Fund: Mr. Melen said the Solid Waste Fund is on target, we have received five payments so far for scrap metal. Mr. Cobb questioned if it was time to re-visit not charging to dispose of metal. He is wondering if we would receive more value in reclaimed metal to balance out the loss of punches. Mr. Melen said he thinks it would have a negative impact on our financials but the consensus of the Board was to look at this again. Mr. Cobb also asked to see what it would take to keep track of punches collected for scrap metal disposal.
Cash Flow: Mr. Melen said we are ahead of last year and we have had substantial collections on delinquent taxes.
Weathersfield Fire Commission Report: Mr. Boyer went over the Fire Commission report. Mr. Arrison asked who was responsible for the Perkinsville hydrant maintenance. Mr. Melen said the Town is. Mr. Arrison asked about starting a dialogue for tire storage. Mr. Melen said the authority to control would be regulated through the Solid Waste.
6. Old Business:
A. Proctor Library Parking License: Mr. Melen said he has received a signed parking license for parking only.
B. Request for Crosswalk Maple Street and Quarry Road: Mr. Melen said the correspondence has been sent to the Superintendent of Schools.
C. Petition for Pole and Wire Location on Melody Lane: Mr. Melen said the original pole was laid out before it was a Town road therefore, it is not within the Right of Way. Mr. Arrison suggested sending a letter to CVPS asking them for a schedule of attaching to the pole along Route 131, Mr. Melen will send a letter. Mrs. Daniels made the motion to sign the approval for relocation of poles on Melody Lane as requested. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
D. Appoint Deputy Health Officer: Mr. Melen asked for this item to be tabled.
E. Southern Windsor/Windham County Solid Waste Management District: Mr. Melen explained the resolution Town of Westminister adopted. Mr. Arrison made the motion to take a position similar to that of Westminister and to direct the Town manager to write a letter expressing our view. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The resolution will read as follows: The Town of Weathersfield urges the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District to follow good and generally accepted governmental practice by conducting an open and competitive bid process for waste disposal services after 01 July 2007. Further, the District should not negotiate for the provision of solid waste disposal services outside of such a competitive bid process.
7. Polices and Ordinances:
A. Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adopt the Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy as written. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
B. Personnel Rules and Regulations: Mr. Cobb made the motion to accept for signing the Group Insurance, Retirement System and Sick Leave Bank rules and regulations at the next meeting. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
C. Stop Sign Ordinance: There was discussion that not all roads are included in this ordinance, Mrs. Daniels said the information should be correct before signing. Mr. Boyer made the motion to table this until November 3, 2005. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
8. New Business:
A. VCDP – Sign Grant Agreement for SEV-RLF: Mr. Boyer made the motion to sign the grant agreement resolution by consortion participating grantee. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
B. Water/Sewer Study Committee Representation: Mr. Melen said we are still waiting for a representative from the Planning Commission. He will talk to Mrs. Bearse about this.
C. VT Health Trust Prescription Program Changes: Mr. Melen explained the current prescription plan and the options of the new plans. He said the new plans would result in a 2 – 4% reduction in premium. Mr. Melen recommended going with Option 1. Mr. Cobb asked if he had talked with the Managers about the options. Mr. Melen said he has not been able to yet. Mrs. Daniels made the motion to go with the Town Mangers recommendation and go with Option #1 on the VT Health Trust Prescription Program; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb said he would have liked to have employee participation and their opinions before making the decision. Motion carried unanimously.
10. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Cobb made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $11,040.58
General Fund Operating Expense $21,802.33
Highway Fund Payroll $11,748.74
Highway Fund Operating Expense $17,902.04
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,664.00
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $12,764.77
Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
11. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Public Hearing, Drop Inlets on Butterfield Hill, CVPS letter, Deputy Health Officer, Policies, Water/Sewer Committee, Award Loader Bid.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to go into Executive Session for discussion on acquisition or sale of Real Estate which premature disclosure may be detrimental to the Town and/or Seller. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
The Select Board came out of executive session at 9:10 p.m. Mr. Boyer made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. on Thursday October 20, 2005.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on November 3, 2005
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Daniel Boyer
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Henry C. Cobb
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Norman John Arrison
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Patricia Daniels